Volume
1 Issue 2 - April 2001
William Parker
"...Parker believes that this class-based difference in treatment of property owners amounts to 'affirmative action' for the rich and powerful."
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM PARKER FIGHTS TO PROTECT PROPERTY OWNER'S RIGHTS
Alabama State Representative William Parker (D-Birmingham) is waging a fierce fight in the Legislature to protect property owners' rights. In February, the Alabama House of Representatives' Banking and Insurance Committee approved, on an 11-3 vote, a bill that would reduce Alabama property owners' one year right to redeem property in foreclosure. Representative Parker vigorously objected to the bill.
Property owners in Alabama have enjoyed this statutory right of redemption for over 30 years. The proposed legislation would chop this right down to six months for most landowners.
The state's one year right of redemption law annoys many in the banking industry. The industry wants to acquire clear title to foreclosed properties quickly. The industry initially sought to reduce the redemption period to 90 days. Rep. Parker was outraged by this 75 percent reduction in the statutory redemption period. Members of the House Banking Committee attempted to pacify Parker and other opponents of House Bill #125 by limiting the rollback period to six months rather than 90 days.
Rep. Parker was still fuming when he realized that the proposed legislation carved out special protections for rich and powerful agri-business landowners in Alabama. Large farmers, foresters and ranchers will retain their one year right of redemption, while residential property owners will experience the full blow of the reduced property rights. Rep. Parker believes that this class-based difference in treatment of property owners amounts to "affirmative action" for the rich and powerful. We agree.
The legislature should kill this kind of "affirmative action" legislation. It is an embarrassing piece of legislation. The banking industry presented no real justification for slicing off one half of the statutory property rights protection period from residential landowners, while continuing to clothe the rich and powerful with their full statutory rights.
Rep. Parker, who is a first term legislator, has developed a well-deserved reputation for protecting the rights of Alabamians. During last year's session, Parker defeated a ''legal loan-sharking'' bill sponsored by the payday lending industry. The legislation would have allowed check cashers and payday lenders to receive up to 1,200 percent returns on small loans to retired and working class people. He also is fighting vigorously to pass a bill this session that will prohibit trains from blocking railroad crossings for more than five minutes.
Bravo William Parker!
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VOTER NEWS NETWORK ORGANIZERS TO SPEND $1 MILLION FOR ALABAMA'S 2002 GENERAL ELECTION
EDITORIAL: REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM PARKER FIGHTS TO PROTECT PROPERTY OWNERS' RIGHTS
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By: Richard Dickerson